Moscow regards Syria opposition conference as positive step

September 24, 2012, 23:50 UTC+3The Russian side will continue contacts with the initiators of the conference and with its working bodies

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MOSCOW, September 24 (Itar-Tass) —— The conference of representatives of Syrian opposition that was held in Damascus on September 23 is regarded by Moscow as an important positive step toward unity, it is said in the commentary by Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson, circulated here on Monday.

“Representatives of 15 internal opposition parties, as well as a number of independent leaders and members of structures of civil society, participated in the conference “Saving the Syrian Homeland” called on the initiative of the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change in Syria,” the spokesperson noted. Diplomats of a number of countries, accredited in Syria, including the Russian ambassador, were present as guests and had the opportunity to speak. Members of Syrian “recalcitrant“opposition, basing mainly abroad, have not arrived for the conference.

The decisions of the conference urge Syrians’ constructive quest for political settlement. Moscow regards the conference as an important positive step toward the rallying of Syrian opposition on a peaceful patriotic negotiating platform, the commentary says.

The Russian side will continue contacts with the initiators of the conference and with its working bodies, the spokesperson said. Moscow also hopes that all other key external players will use their opportunities to influence radical opposition, as is envisaged by the Geneva accords, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted.